Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army on April 2, 1865, beginning the process of ending the Civil War. It wasn’t until August 20, 1866, that President Andrew Johnson officially declared the war over, nearly 160 years ago.
Cinema gives us an opportunity to understand the world and to learn history through immersion. Although this dark time in American history is distant, films about the Civil War are pieced together from historical accounts, allowing us to learn from our past. Below are seven films that could be used to help educate the public on this topic.
Red Badge of Courage (1951)
Based on the 1895 novel written by Stephen Crane, this film depicts the psyche in war. The complex feelings of fear, courage, honor, and accountability within a soldier are explored within both film and book. Following Union soldier Henry Fleming, played by Audie Murphy, he goes from deserter to rejoining his company, and when news of the next battle being a suicide mission is discovered, he decides to fight anyway. Both Murphy and director John Huston served in WWII, bringing a sense of credibility to their depictions of war.
Why it matters: Tying this in with the novel and the stream-of-consciousness writing that Crane uses really gives a glimpse into the mind of what it was like to be on the front lines, without the author ever being in war himself at that time. His novel was conceptualized from Century Magazine articles that covered famous battles and war leaders, where he noticed the focus was on what they did and not how they felt.
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Free State of Jones (2016)
While the film falls victim to one of Hollywood’s most unfortunate tropes, white savior-ing, it does tell a story that has often been overlooked. The film revolves around the rebellious uprising where a small county seceded to create its own free state. Jones County is located in Mississippi, where this small band of deserters was led by Newton Knight, played by Matthew McConaughey, who was not a wealthy plantation owner but a farmer struggling to survive. The film focuses on his life post-desertion and how he inspires others to join him, creating a place where the poor are not at the mercy of tax collection but forced to band together and fight for what they believe in.
Why it matters: Besides the rebellion, the film also focuses on an important time in American history: the Reconstruction era and the aftermath of adjusting to a post-war nation. Instead of a happy ending where a postscript summarizes the end of this period, we are shown what the world looks like after and how slavery’s abolition was not easily dismantled.
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Glory (1989)
With an incredible cast, this film tells the true story of the first all-Black regiment in the Civil War. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, played by Matthew Broderick, is given the task of leading the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, made up of Trip, played by Denzel Washington; John Rawlins, played by Morgan Freeman; Thomas Searls, played by Andre Braugher; as well as others. Even though Broderick is the lead of the film, it avoids him being the sole reason for heroism, depicting the soldiers in his unit as fighting for their own beliefs and with complex interpersonal dynamics. Shaw advocates for his men in the film, joining in refusing pay since the soldiers are only given three-quarters of the money given to white soldiers, and demanding on their behalf to see combat. They are then tasked with trying to capture Fort Wagner in a powerful final act.
Why it matters: In 2025 Glory was added to the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The film received three Academy Awards, including the first for Denzel Washington. Besides its cultural impact, this film sheds light on a fact that helped turn the war in favor of the Union, by utilizing Black soldiers for combat rather than just field labor.
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Ride With the Devil (1999)
The only film on this list to get a Criterion Collection release, Ride With the Devil features incredible performances from a young Tobey Maguire and Jeffrey Wright. The film focuses on a tension not always discussed. The border war between Kansas and Missouri is integral to the plot of the film, pointing out the struggle between those caught between borders and forced to pick sides.
Why it matters: Bushwhacker is a concept tied to the Civil War. Its history lies in guerrilla warfare, which is portrayed in the film. Another prominent theme the story touches on is Black Confederate soldiers. Jeffery Wright sheds light on the fact that, during his research, he discovered any Black person killed who fought for the South would be left in an unmarked grave, so there is no way of knowing the exact number of how many there were.
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Gettysburg (1993)
The quintessential film for the Civil War buff. The three-day battle is one of those moments in the Civil War that turned the tide for the Union. Over 50,000 men died in this battle, making it the deadliest battle of the Civil War. This would mark the first of three Civil War epics from director and writer Ronald F. Maxwell, who also developed Gods and Generals (2003) and Copperhead (2013). With a runtime of 254 minutes, the film is highly detailed and encompassing, serving as one of the more thorough Civil War films there is.
Why it matters: Widely considered one of the most important battles of the Civil War, this film is a historical achievement. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Killer Angels, the Battle of Gettysburg was a well-documented piece of history that many scholars study. No other film adaptation could achieve what this one has on sheer scale, making it essential viewing.
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12 Years a Slave (2013)
With many Civil War films, the central conflict of slavery is often left out, focusing on soldiers or families and their stories. Revered for its accurate portrayal of slavery, 12 Years a Slave is a precursor to the Civil War, and a devastating tale of what slavery was actually like. Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, was born a free man who was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery, a disturbing reality that was unfortunately common. Based on the real life of Northup, with his memoir as the source material, the film follows his journey into the South and onto various plantations. The film was directed by Steve McQueen and adapted by John Ridley, winning three Academy Awards.
Why it matters: Although the events precede the Civil War, this film acts as a vehicle for it, detailing the horrors of a nation where slavery is legal. The film’s historical accuracy was handled carefully, trying its best to honor those who lived through this time while educating viewers in what most just read about. Without showing it, the film depicts why a Civil War was imminent.
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Lincoln (2012)
There are few filmmakers as high profile as Steven Spielberg, and his biographical drama of Abraham Lincoln during the final year of the Civil War is one of his most highly acclaimed films. The film focuses on Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, trying to sway the states within the Union to pass the 13th Amendment before the end of the war. His fears are that if the amendment isn’t passed, the returning Confederate states could swing the vote so that slavery is reinstated. The political landscape and nuance of persuading the legislature are at the core of this film, and something that, in another filmmaker’s hands, might not be as engaging.
Why it matters: The 2005 book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln was source material for this film, detailing the challenges that Abraham Lincoln faced in election and in office, including the ramifications of the Emancipation Proclamation. The story focuses on just how divided even the Union was on this amendment, only passing by two votes. A huge takeaway is just how important influence, alliances, and persuasion are within our government.
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As we approach the 160th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, it remains one of the most documented and studied wars in history, with many more examples on film than just the ones listed here. The history is gruesome, horrific, and troubling, but through these films, we can begin to understand the progress our nation has made, even if we still have much further to go.
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